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Ahh… the hen do!
The part of the wedding prep process where you get to put the stresses and to-dos of organising your wedding on hold to have a little fun with the ladies in your life.
And if you need a little inspo for some fun hen party ideas? We’ve got you! Whatever style of hen party you desire, these ideas will ensure everyone has a blast!
Read More: 10 Hen Party Games to Ensure Heaps of Bridal Shower Fun!
Unusual Hen Party Ideas
If you’re not keen on some of the more common or traditional hen party ideas and want to make yours unique by indulging in something a little out of the ordinary, here are a few options:
Canal Boat Weekend
If London is the heart of the UK, then the vast and scenic canals are its veins.
Fun fact: the UK is home to over 4,700 miles worth of canals and rivers, with many towns and cities boasting a marina with hire boats for a glorious weekend on the water.
Climb aboard for a weekend of moseying along the country’s waterways and mooring up at the plentiful country pubs dotted along the way for a drink or a bite to eat.
Prices usually start at around £115 pp and most hire boat companies can cater to parties of between 8-24 people.
Cocktail Making Class
Ever wondered about the skills (and ingredients) that go into your favourite tipple?!
Well, a hen do is the perfect chance to add ‘shaker’ to your resume. Many cocktail-making classes are available across the UK and often cater to parties with as many as 50 guests.
A cocktail-making whizz will teach you the art of mixology on (usually) up to four delicious drinks, with plenty of sampling (and giggling) along the way.
Life Painting
Fancy something a little different from the usual bar crawl with pink cowboy hats and rubber penis straws?!
Those with an arty streak can indulge in an afternoon of life painting a real-life model, with companies specialising in this exact experience and offering a range of carefully selected models.
You can bring your own fizz, and sessions usually start at around £20 pp.
Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting
The UK may not be up there with the likes of France, Italy, and South Africa with its wine game, but we do have vineyards and a bottle of sparkling English wine can be an absolute treat!
For those who love to couple mother nature with delicious wine, a vineyard and wine tasting experience makes for a lovely hen do – especially on a warm sunny day.
Many of the UK’s vineyards are open for tours, tasting, and even have an in-house restaurant to enjoy a spot of fine dining.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Ceramic Painting
Another hen do option for brides who love a bit of arts and crafts!
You’ll be provided with all the tools and products needed to create your own ceramic item (which, of course, you get to take home with you), while tucking into some fizz and nibbles.
Many companies provide mobile services, so you can indulge in a ceramic painting class at home or in a nearby booked venue.
Burlesque or Cabaret Night
Burlesque and cabaret nights are heaps of fun! Fact!
Be mindful that those living out in the sticks will likely need to travel to one of the UK’s main cities to enjoy a show. But the good news is, there are plenty of options.
London’s Soho district is alive with vibrant, swingin’ spots like Crazy Coqs, The Cavendish Club, and The 100 Club.
Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival is also an option, as well as Manchester, Bristol, and Brighton hosting a range of different burlesque and cabaret venues.
Axe Throwing
Unleash your inner Viking with a spot of axe throwing!
For brides who love nothing more than an outdoorsy adventure, many companies offer hen do packages that include the likes of axe throwing, archery, and more.
Price quotes tend to depend on the number of guests per group, and UK locations for such activities include London, Scotland, Wales, Northeast, Southwest, the Midlands, the Lakes, and the Southeast.
Game of Thrones, eat your heart out!
Quad Biking
Another perfect option for the tomboy bride!
Quad biking is one of those activities we believe everyone should try at least once in their lives, and why not do so while celebrating an upcoming nuptial?
Most sessions start at around £60 pp, with nationwide locations meaning you won’t have to travel too far for some high-octane fun!
Visit a Distillery
Not wild about wine? A bit blase about beer? Maybe a spirits distillery is in order instead.
If you’re a sucker for a crisp, refreshing gin and tonic or love to warm your bones with a bit of bourbon, one of the UK’s many distillery tours is the perfect hen do solution.
Those visiting Scotland will be especially spoiled for choice in the distillery department, with options in Glasgow, Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Dalwhinnie, Inverness – and everywhere in between.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Haunted Tour
Fancy celebrating your bachelorette party with a spirit or two? And we don’t mean the drinkable kind….
The UK is home to many of the world’s most haunted locations – perfect for any budding ghosthunting bride-to-be.
Some of these locations include Sally in the Woods (outside Bath), Pluckley (Kent), Pendle Hill (Lancashire), and the Ancient Ram Inn in Gloucester.
Many guided ghost tours can be found here.
Classy Hen Party Ideas at Home
Enjoy a fine celebration from the comfort of your own home!
Wine & Cheese Tasting
Those wanting a classy hen do without breaking the bank can indulge in a wine and cheese tasting evening at home – with everyone pitching in and bringing a bottle and cheese type.
All you need is a few wine glasses, party games, and a wooden board or two to pop your cheeses on and you have yourself a classy hen do without even leaving the house!
DIY Spa Night
Many brides love a pre-wedding pamper – but it can be costly!
So, instead, why not bring the spa to you? Picture the scene: a living room kitted out with scented candles and soft, plush pillows, mani-pedis, a few homemade canapes, and some much-needed relaxation!
Movie Night
Get into your PJs, pour some popcorn into a bowl, and enjoy a night full of the bride’s favourite movies.
Whether she’s a rom-com gal or a horror movie stan, a night of nostalgic slumber party vibes will ensure a great time on a small budget.
Fancy Afternoon Tea
You don’t need to go to Claridge’s to enjoy a fancy afternoon tea – a DIY affair is just as fun and delicious.
Orchestrate your day so that everyone contributes a different part of the tea (which could be a variety of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and other nibbles), as well as teas, coffees, and prosecco.
Garden Party
Nothing is classier than a quaint English garden party!
We’re thinking bunting and outdoor twinkle lights, comfy garden cushions, wrought-iron furniture, flowers, and platters of all your favourite foods.
Throw in a bit of music and some party games and you’ve got a great afternoon ahead of you!
Hen Party Games
No hen party is complete without a game or two. This can be ideal for ice-breaking purposes as well as inciting a few belly laughs! Some of our faves include:
FAQ
Traditionally, the hen/bachelorette party is organised and covered by the women of the bridal party, AKA, the bridesmaids and the mothers of the bride and groom.
This is to ensure that the bride can enjoy her last few weeks/months as an unmarried without adding to the overall cost of organising the wedding.
However, in many cases, a bride will have a hand in organising her own hen do so as to ensure it is in keeping with her particular style of soiree. In which case, she may pay for some or all of the party.
The trick to ensuring a hen party is special is making it authentic to the bride’s style and taste, as well as adding plenty of personal touches for the guests, including personalised items such as cupcakes, drinkware, or accessories, as well as ensuring there is plenty of food and drinks – it is a party after all!
There’s nothing worse than a stuffy, awkward hen party, so it is important to cater to everyone’s needs so that everyone has a good time. This is especially applicable if there are guests coming from out of town who may not know anyone except for the bride.
Other ways to make a hen party fun are to include games, stories/anecdotes from the bride’s youth/single days, good food and drink (make sure everyone is catered for including dietary preferences, allergens, and teetotalers), and fancy dress.
Pin Fun Hen Party Ideas
